# Sign Regulations in Gaylord, Michigan

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Gaylord, Michigan, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Gaylord, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/gaylord
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-10
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://cityofgaylord.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/24.06.05-Sign-Ordinance.pdf)

## At a glance

Gaylord, Michigan regulates 54 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Identity Sign (Parks/Playgrounds/Community Buildings - Freestanding)s in the R-1 (Single Family Residence) District zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 6 sq ft, with a Erect no nearer any street than one-half the setback required for the principal building (Temporary Signs excepted) setback (Sec. 20.406(5)). Most commercial signs in Gaylord require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1 (Single Family Residence) District | 15 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| R-2 (Multiple Family Residence) District | 24 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| B-1, Central Business District | 10 | 18 ft above ground level | 384 sq in (2.667 sq ft) | — |
| C-1 (General Commercial) District | 9 | 18 ft above average ground level | 384 sq in (2.667 sq ft) | — |
| C-2 (Central Commercial) District | 13 | 18 ft above average ground level | 384 sq in (2.667 sq ft) | — |
| M-1 (Manufacturing) District | 11 | 30 in | 864 sq in (6 sq ft) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 6 ft overall height | 24 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### R-1 (Single Family Residence) District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign (Identity - Residence) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises | On the residence/premises | — | 20.406(1) |
| Professional Nameplate Sign (Home Occupation/Residential State Licensed Facility/Day Care Center) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises | On the residence/premises | — | 20.406(2) |
| Real Estate Sign (Improved Residential Premises) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises | On the property being sold/rented/leased | — | 20.406(4); 20.402(38)(g)1,3 |
| Real Estate Sign (Unimproved/Vacant Land ≥10 acres) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On the unimproved/vacant land | — | 20.406(4); 20.402(38)(g)2-3 |
| Political Sign (Residential Districts) | — | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per candidate or proposal per premises | May be located in required front yard with property owner permission; Not in any public right-of-way | — | 20.402(38)(i)1,3-4 |
| Identity Sign (Parks/Playgrounds/Community Buildings - Freestanding) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | Erect no nearer any street than one-half the setback required for the principal building (Temporary Signs excepted) | 1 | On premises of parks/playgrounds/community buildings owned or operated by public agencies | — | 20.406(5) |
| Identity Sign (Church) - Option 1 (Freestanding) | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | Erect no nearer any street than one-half the principal building setback (Temporary Signs excepted) | 1 | On church premises | — | 20.406(6) |
| Identity Sign (Public/Private/Parochial Schools) - Option 1 (Freestanding) | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | Erect no nearer any street than one-half the principal building setback (Temporary Signs excepted) | 1 identity sign; plus informational signs as specified | On school premises | — | 20.406(7) |

### R-2 (Multiple Family Residence) District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign (Unimproved/Vacant Land ≥10 acres) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On the unimproved/vacant land | — | 20.406a(4); 20.402(38)(g)2-3 |
| Identity Sign (Parks/Playgrounds/Community Buildings - Freestanding) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | Erect no nearer any street than one-half the setback required for the principal building (Temporary Signs excepted) | 1 | On premises of parks/playgrounds/community buildings owned or operated by public agencies | — | 20.406a(5) |
| Identity Sign (Church) - Option 1 (Freestanding) | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | Erect no nearer any street than one-half the principal building setback (Temporary Signs excepted) | 1 | On church premises | — | 20.406a(6) |
| Identity Sign (Hospitals/Nursing/Convalescent Homes/Mortuaries/Institutions) - Option 1 (Freestanding) | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | Erect no nearer any street than one-half the principal building setback (Temporary Signs excepted) | 1 identity sign; plus informational signs as specified | On premises of the institution | — | 20.406a(7) |
| Identity Sign (Apartment Complexes ≥5 units) - Option 1 (Freestanding) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | Erect no nearer any street than one-half the principal building setback (Temporary Signs excepted) | 1 identity sign; plus informational signs as specified | On apartment complex premises | — | 20.406a(8) |
| Identity Sign (Public/Private/Parochial Schools) - Option 1 (Freestanding) | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | Erect no nearer any street than one-half the principal building setback (Temporary Signs excepted) | 1 identity sign; plus informational signs as specified | On school premises | — | 20.406a(9), 20.406a(12) |
| Scoreboard Sign (Youth Athletic Organization - Freestanding or Wall) | 8 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On athletic field owned/leased/operated by an organized and recognized youth athletic organization | — | 20.406a(9a)(a)-(e) |
| Identity Sign (State Residential Licensed Facility - Freestanding) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | Erect no nearer any street than one-half the principal building setback (Temporary Signs excepted) | 1 | On the facility premises | — | 20.406a(10), 20.406a(12) |

### C-2 (Central Commercial) District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Primary and Secondary Frontage) | 6 ft (all signs except freestanding, projecting, under-canopy) | Per aggregate formula; individual wall sign size not specified | — | — | — | On building exterior walls facing designated frontages | — | 20.407b(3)-(5),(10)-(11),(18); 20.402(41) |
| Under-Canopy Sign | 8 in; Bottom clearance ≥7 ft above ground/sidewalk | 384 sq in (2.667 sq ft) | — | — | — | Suspended beneath a canopy/ceiling/roof/marquee | — | 20.407b(5) |
| Marquee Sign (Cinema only) | 4 ft | 56 sq ft per sign | — | — | Up to 2 per premises | On cinema marquee | — | 20.407b(6) |
| Freestanding Sign (Building ≥20 ft from property line) | 18 ft above average ground level | — | — | Minimum 5 ft from front or side property lines; building must be located ≥20 ft from property line | 1 | On premises, in front yard with required setbacks | — | 20.407b(7)(a),(10) |
| Freestanding Sign (Within 1,000 ft radius of expressway exit) | Not restricted by the ordinance (subject to aggregate area limits) | Not restricted by the ordinance (subject to aggregate area limits) | — | — | 1 | On premises located within 1,000 ft radius of any expressway exit | — | 20.407b(7)(b) (ord. rev. eff. May 2, 1993), 20.407b(3),(10) |
| Freestanding Sign (Shopping center/business complex) | 18 ft (per 7a) unless using 7b option | — | — | — | Up to 2 | On premises with a minimum of 300 ft of frontage from the building(s) to the property line | — | 20.407b(7)(c),(10) |
| Informational Freestanding Sign (Parking Entrances/Exits) | 4 ft | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | At parking lot entrances and/or exits | — | 20.407b(8) |
| Political Sign (Business Districts) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per candidate or proposal per premises | May be located in required front yard with property owner permission; Not in any public right-of-way | — | 20.402(38)(i)2-4 |

## Prohibited signs in Gaylord

- No sign may be erected or maintained anywhere in the city unless it fully complies with the ordinance and a sign permit has been obtained (Sec. 20.403).
- Signs not located on the business premises are prohibited, except Off-Premises Signs allowed per Section 8 (Sec. 20.410.1).
- Signs may not extend beyond the property line (Sec. 20.410.2).
- Any sign constructed or erected after the ordinance (or amendments) that does not comply with the regulations for the district in which the sign is located is prohibited (Sec. 20.410.3).
- Portable signs are prohibited in all districts unless specifically permitted by the City Manager for promotional purposes for up to seven days and with a Temporary Sign Permit (Sec. 20.402(38)(b)).
- Vehicle signs are prohibited in all districts unless specifically permitted by the City Manager for promotional purposes for up to seven days and with a Temporary Sign Permit (Sec. 20.402(38)(k)).

## Signs exempt from permit in Gaylord

- Public signs of a noncommercial nature erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of public duty (e.g., safety, danger, trespassing, traffic signs, memorial plaques, signs of historical interest) are exempt, except for construction and safety requirements (Sec. 20.411.1).
- Integral building inscriptions (names of buildings, dates of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tablets) when carved in stone, concrete, or similar material or made an integral part of the structure are exempt, except for construction and safety requirements (Sec. 20.411.2).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- City-wide, a sign permit is required before erecting any sign regulated by the ordinance (Sec. 20.403).
- Before applying, the applicant must determine the zoning district of the premises and furnish that information with the permit application (Sec. 20.405.2).
- Sign permit applications must list all existing and proposed signs and include a blueprint or drawing for each showing size and verbiage; the City will approve or deny within 10 business days; permit fee is $10; permit fees do not apply to exempt signs (Sec. 20.413.1–2).
- The assigned sign permit number must be displayed on the face of the sign at all times (Sec. 20.413.3).
- Post-installation inspection by City staff is required to verify size, location, and number; violations are subject to penalties (Sec. 20.413.4; Sec. 20.414).
- Variances from strict compliance require a written application to City Council; notice to all owners within 300 feet at least 10 days prior; consideration at a City Council meeting; approval requires a concurring vote of five members and specific hardship findings; the decision is final (Sec. 20.411a).
- Existing signs may not be substantially altered, moved, or re-erected unless brought into compliance; any moved sign is treated as a new sign requiring a permit; maintenance/repair to restore safety is allowed (Sec. 20.412).
- Temporary Sign Permits are required city-wide for certain temporary sign types, including: temporary business signs for promotional events; on-premises special event signs; portable signs when authorized by the City Manager; vehicle signs when authorized by the City Manager; and real estate signs on unimproved/vacant land of 10 acres or more (Sec. 20.402(38)(d), (f), (b), (k), (g)2).
- Signs associated with uses requiring a Special Use Permit must be approved by City Council at the time the Special Use Permit is granted (noted across district sections).
- No master sign plan requirement is stated in the ordinance.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 7 zoning districts in Gaylord — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Gaylord+MI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-gaylord

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